Ventilated boot



April 7, 1962 c. N. EATON 3,029,530

VENTILATED BOOT Filed July 5, 1961 [in/AI 3 u. 2

IN VEN TOR.

Arroz/vs Y5.

3,029,530 VENTEATED BOOT Clare N. Eaton, Ovando, Mont. Filed July 5,1961, Ser. No. 122,018 4 Claims. (Cl. 36-3) This invention relates to aventilated boot or shoe and has as its primary object the provision of ameans for introducing cooling air to the interior of a boot or shoe tocool the feet of the wearer and prevent excessive perspiration.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a devicecharacterized by bellows which is actuated by the walking motionimparted to the shoe or boot by the wearer thereof, and which creates aconstantly circulating draft of air interiorly of the boot.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a device ofthis character provided with an inlet having an air filter well abovethe ground level to preclude the introduction of dust and dirt into theboot.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of thischaracter having means associated therewith for holding the bellows forcirculating the air through the boot inoperative when desired.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device ofthis character which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable andefiicient in operation, and relatively simple and convenient to wear andutilize.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as thedescription of the invention proceeds and shown in the accompanyingdrawing wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of thisinventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a boot or shoe constructed inaccordance with the instant invention, certain concealed portionsthereof being indicated in dotted lines, as well as certain difierentpositions of adjustment.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along theline 22 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the bellowsattachment for the boot.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, there is generallyindicated at a boot or shoe of any conventional type which includes anupper 11, an outsole 12, and an insole 13. The upper and insole may beof any conventional construction, and the boot may be open in front andlaced as by a lace 14 in conventional manner.

The outsole 12 is split adjacent the heel portion thereof, and providedwith a U-shaped metallic insert 15, which is of resilient construction,and which is generally of horseshoe configuration and secured betweenthe separate portions 16 and 17 of outsole 12 by means of rivets ortacks 18. The separate portions 16 and 17 are each provided with arubber cushion or protuberance 20 and 21, respectively, which serve asbumpers when the portion 17 is compressed on the portion 16 duringwalking. A rubber or other suitable bellows 22 seals an air space 23between the outsole portions 16 and 17, in which the air is compressedduring walking. Subsequent separation of the portion 1'7 from theportion 16 which is effected by a compression spring 24 serves to drawair in through a T inlet 25. One leg 26 of the T is connected to arubber tube 27 which forms an inlet tube and which is provided with aone-way check valve 23. At the upper end of the tube 27 is an inlet andair filter 29 which is secured as by means of a clip 30 to the top ofthe boot upper 11. The other leg of the T is connected to an air outlet31 which is provided with a one-Way check valve 32 and nited States atetwhich opens into an opening 33 interiorly of the insole 13, and adjacentthe ball of the foot of the wearer of the boot to provide a continuousdraft of air. -In the use and operation of the device as the wearerlifts his foot the spring 24 separates the outsole 17 from the outsoleportion 16 and creates a vacuum in the air space 23 which draws air inthrough the inlet to 27, the one-way check valve 28, and the air filter29. As the heel is forced downwardly the bellows 22 is compressed andair is forced out through the T 25 and the line 31, the one-way checkvalve 32 into the inlet 33 into the shoe thus effectively cooling thefoot of the user.

A strap 35 is secured to the back of the upper, and has at its extremitya hook 36 which engages in an eye 37 carried by sole portion 17, thearrangement being such that when the hook is engaged with the eye,portion 17 is held in inoperative position closely against the portion16 so that no air is forced through the inlet 33 into the interior ofthe boot.

It is to be noted that the bellows may be easily replaced whennecessary.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided animproved air cooled boot which accomplishes all the objects of thisinvention, and others, including many advantages of great practicalutility.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as manymodifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. An air cooled boot comprising a boot upper and an outsole splittransversely adjacent the heel to form two portions thereof, a flexiblebellows closing the space between said portions to form an air space, aspring biasing said portions apart, an air inlet to said air space, aoneway valve in said inlet permitting air to enter said space when thefoot is lifted during walking, an air outlet from said spacecommunicating with the interior of said boot, and a one-way check valvein said outlet permitting air to be forced from said air space into theinterior of said boot when the foot is lowered to compress said airspace.

2. An air cooled boot comprising a boot upper and an outsole splittransversely adjacent the heel to form two portions thereof, a flexiblebellows closing the space between said portions to form an air space, aspring biasing said portions apart, an air inlet to said air space, aoneway valve in said inlet permitting air to enter said space when thefoot is lifted during walking, an air outlet from said spacecommunicating with the interior of said boot, and a one-way check valvein said outlet permitting air to be forced from said air space into theinterior of said boot when the foot is lowered to compress said airspace, and an air filter in said inlet.

3. An air cooled boot comprising a boot upper and an outsole splittransversely adjacent the heel to form two portions thereof, a flexiblebellows closing the space between said portions to form an air space, aspring biasing said portions apart, an air inlet to said air space, aoneway valve in said inlet permitting air to enter said space when thefoot is lifted during walking, an air outlet from said spacecommunicating with the interior of said boot, and a one-way check valvein said outlet permitting air to be forced from said air space into theinterior of said boot when the foot is lowered to compress said airspace, an air filter in said inlet, and opposed rubber buffers on theconfronting faces of said two portions.

4. An air cooled boot comprising a boot upper and an outsole splittransversely adjacent the heel to form two portions thereof, a flexiblebellows closing the space between said portions to form an air space, aspring biasing 3 4 said portions apart, an air inlet to said air space,a oneing said two portions together to render the device inway valve insaid inlet permitting air to enter said space operative. when the footis lifted during walking, an air outlet from References Cited in thefile of this patent said space communicating with the interior of saidboot, a one-way check valve in said outlet permitting air to be 5 UNITEDSTATES PATENTS forced from said air space into the interior of said boot1,176,445 Haran Mar. 21, 1916 when the foot is lowered to compress saidair space, an 1,364,226 Wherry Jan. 4, 1921 air filter in said inlet,opposed rubber buffers on the con- 2,329,573 Ziegliss Sept. 14, 1943fronting faces of said two portions, and means for secur- 2,354,407Shaks July 25, 1944

